Want a funky new haircut? Why not donate your ponytail to create real hair wigs

It is common knowledge that one of the major side effects of using chemotherapy to treat cancer is that ones hair will often fall out. For many women, this can be as traumatic as having cancer itself. Sure, there are wigs out there but often these are so fake and tacky that women will prefer to wear scarves. Unfortunately, real hair wigs are extremely expensive and, what with all of the other expenses associated with cancer, a luxuary many women cannot afford. However, now there is a way that we all can help by donating our ponytails. Here is some information on how to do it:

Beautiful Lengths is a program by Pantene in partnership with charity Look Good…Feel Better, designed to encourage women to cut, grow and donate 20cm of their hair to create real hair wigs for women who have lost their hair to cancer treatment. Since 2006, Beautiful Lengths in North America has received an incredible 303,998 ponytails. With enough hair to create 24,000 real wigs, Pantene has helped to transform the lives of thousands of women across the US. Now the program is being launched in Australia and New Zealand.

Monday 12^th November will mark the launch of the inaugural Beautiful Lengths National Donate Your Hair Week in Australia kicking off with a hair donation event at Martin Place in Sydney CBD with Pantene ambassadors leading hairstylist, Barney Martin, and beauty expert, Zoe Foster.

The first 100 women to donate their ponytails will receive a free haircut from Barney Martin and his team of top hairstylists. A gift bag full of products will be presented to every woman who donates their ponytail as well.

In order to participate in the National Donate Your Hair Week event, hair donors must be able to travel to Martin Place for 8am on 12^th November and have at least 20cm of hair to donate.

To take part, please visit https://rougemag.com.au/pantenendyhw and complete the registration form.

The website for Beautiful Lengths is www.beautifullengths.com.au.

Basically your pony tail must be at least 20cm long for it to be donated otherwise the hair will be too short for the wig weavers to use and it can't be dyed, bleached or too grey. Other than those restrictions you are free to donate. Also, remember that if you are going to post your ponytail in then make sure you put a whole heap of hair elastics around it so that it stays as a ponytail - if it falls out of the elastic then they can't use it.

I am actually desperate to cut my hair all off. I usually keep it quite short but having The Crazy Kid and Kiki has made it quite hard for me to make it to the hairdresser. I actually worked out that my last haircut was on 25th November 2011...nearly a full year! I measured my ponytail and it is currently 15cm so I am not going to make the 12th Nov to donate but I think that I will keep growing it anyway as you can donate it at any time.


Are you planning on donating you ponytail or have you done so in the past?